Liverpool signing Christian Benteke can fit in with style of play claims Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has rejected the notion that new Liverpool signing Christian Benteke will have issues fitting in with his preferred style of play.

After months of conflicting transfer rumours regarding his future, the Belgian striker finally put pen to paper on a long-term contract at Anfield earlier this week after the £32.5m ($50.4m) release clause in his Aston Villa contract was successfully activated.

Although Liverpool were in obvious need of strengthening in the final third after seeing their Premier League goal return drop by an alarming 52 last season in the aftermath of Luis Suarez's move to Barcelona in July 2014, doubts as to whether Benteke provided the ideal fit have been raised as a result of a potential conflict between the latter's traditional 'target man' status and Rodgers' established, patient passing style.

The Liverpool boss does not believe this will be a problem, however, pointing to his latest recruit's variety of different strengths and continued development as a sign that he can adapt to make a sizable impact on Merseyside.

"I've heard and seen stuff that he (Benteke) won't fit the style we play but I think he will complement it and help us," Rodgers was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

"He is a big guy but he has got the attributes that I like in terms of pace and movement and he gets all type of goals.

"He is great in the air, strong, can hold the game up and can play on the counter attack. And he can play when the team is deep because he can hold the ball up with his physical strength.

"He is a boy that is still improving his game so I don't think there is any doubt he will fit our tactical idea of the game. He can be a huge player for us."

Benteke initially struggled for form during the first half of last season, but improved drastically following the appointment of Tim Sherwood as successor to Paul Lambert in February and helped fire Villa to top-flight safety as well as a domestic cup final.

Although a failure to galvanise his star player was undoubtedly one of the factors that led to Lambert's downfall at Villa Park, the Scot also believes he has the ability to cope with heightened expectations at Liverpool.

He told the BBC: "He's a brilliant number nine. He won't need just crosses to come into the box. If he gets the service he'll get goals.

"That's the type of guy he is and on his game he's a handful. I'm delighted for him. He's earned that move and if he can do what I think he can do, he'll do great for them.

"He's going to have to handle the expectancy level of winning [at Liverpool]. When you speak to Christian, he has a great belief in himself to do well."

Benteke, is the second striker to join Liverpool so far this summer, with Danny Ings arriving in July following the end of his deal with recently relegated Burnley.

The 23-year-old, whose fee is likely to be decided by a tribunal, provided a respectable return of 11 goals during his first season in the Premier League and got off the mark for his new employers last week during a pre-season tour match against Adelaide United.

Despite Ings further proving his worth by notching a hat-trick during an impromptu friendly against Felda United in Kuala Lumpur, the possibility of Rodgers adding another forward to his squad before the end of the transfer window cannot be easily dismissed in light of Raheem Sterling's £49m exit to Manchester City.

Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, Liverpool's other striking options, all flattered to deceive last season with a combined four Premier League goals between them, although it is certainly worth noting that Daniel Sturridge is expected to return from hip surgery in October and Divock Origi has returned to the club on a full-time basis following the conclusion of his loan spell with Lille.

In addition to Benteke and Ings, Rodgers has completed five other signings during the current transfer window as he gambles on another summer of wholesale change. Brazilian playmaker Roberto Firmino has joined from Hoffenheim, highly-rated young defender Joe Gomez arrives from Charlton Athletic and experienced midfielder James Milner was signed on a free transfer from Manchester City.

Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has also been snapped up on a free transfer from Championship side Bolton Wanderers and Nathaniel Clyne became the fourth Southampton player in a year to swap St Mary's for Anfield earlier in July.